The Forgotten Victory - Britain

Support approximately 14,000 soldiers ‧ 17 ships of aircraft carrier and etc.

Britain

"We urge UN members to provide necessary aids to repel an armed aggression in ROK and to recover global peace and safety in the region." In respond to UN military immediate participation of war resolution on June 28 1950, 63 nations in the world came forward to help Korea suffering from its difficulties due to North Korean unlawful invasion of South, called the Korean War. On the verge of 60th anniversary of the armistice, we will look into activities nations made in 22 rounds; many nations shed their bloods over an unfamiliar foreign country: 16 combat support nations, 5 nations to support for medical treatment, 39 nations for material support, 3 nations expressed their intention to support.

"Defended against surging Communist Chinese army by firing mortars regardless of its gun barrels becoming hot. I survived, but there would be no peace and prosperity of current Korea if it were not for sacrifices my comrades made by losing their own lives."

Thomas David Hogg(87), the chairman of war veterans council of the Commonwealth, spoke reminiscently on last April while he revisited Korea for a ceremony for UN war veterans held by the ministry of patriots and veterans affairs. He participated in Imjin River battle, the most fierce battle the Commonwealth army underwent during the Korean War.

Britain sent out second largest forces in number to help ROK when Korea was under urgent crisis: 14,198 soldiers, 17 naval vessels including aircraft carriers, and etc. As a permanent member of the UN Security council, Britain took an important role in passing the resolution by actively supporting resolutions US suggested, 'stop request on an act of Communists' invasion' and 'military aid for ROK', British force arrived in Busan with warm welcome of Korean citizens on August 29 1950, a few days before North Korean attacks on September began. Starting from Nakdong River defensive line battle, British army fought at fierce battles at different places during the war in order to protect Korean liberty: Jeongju‧Bakcheon battle, Sindunri battle, Imjin River battle, Hooke highland battle and etc.

Especially on April 1951, Imjin River battle, carried out by British army near Seolmari, frustrated Chinese army's series of attacks and contributed on defending Seoul against losing again.

British 29th brigade, consisted of 5 battalions named Gloster, Alster, Pusiliar, Belgie, and Irish, fought against 3 Chinese divisions from trying to breach via Jeoksung and Seolmari, and Dongducheon region. Military strength of Communist Chinese army was more than 40,000 soldiers, and the number was nearly tenth of the number of British military strength. British 29th brigade fought courageously despite of being surrounded by Communist army; Gloster battalion, especially, repelled Communist Chinese army several times at Seolmari highland. As British force blocked the enemy's advance for 3 days around Imjin River, main forces of the alliance bought time to safely withdrew and establish a line of defense in Northern area of the capital.

However, the 29th brigade lost one third of its total military strength; everyone else either died in battles or were taken prisoners except 67 survivors, who successfully withdrew by breaking through the siege, among 652 members of Gloster battalion. A foothold to protect Seoul could be gained exchanging with British soldiers' lives. Due to such fierce battles, 1,078 soldiers of British army died in battles, 2,674 were injured, and 979 were taken captive to the enemy during the Korean War.